9/11 (2002)

 

A real life documentary following the events of September 11 from an insider's view, through the lens of James Hanlon and two French filmmakers who were in Manhattan that one day.

Remarkable documentary follows a full first-hand account of the events as they happened, including new insights and some unsettling personal drama.

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

 

The peaceful town of Centerville finds itself battling a zombie horde as the dead start rising from their graves. 

Zombie (and doomsday) comedy is meant as a satire to present-day U.S.A., which works only intermittently, but it entertains with a lot of wit, Murray's and Driver's deadpan and a lot of amusing cameos.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

 

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

Easy-going (like its titular character), serendipitous drama, full of black humor and numerous memorable sequences and with a colorful ensemble of eccentric characters is thoroughly entertaining; an instant cult classic.

Halliwell**: "A meandering thriller that provides a great deal of incidental pleasures on a journey to nowhere in particular."

Maltin**1/2: "One big shaggy-dog joke, courtesy of the Coen brothers...Mostly an excuse for off-the-wall character vignettes, some of which are amusing, some of which are just...strange. Minor Coen concoction with a most agreeable cast. Turturro is a standout as Jesus the bowler, but Bridges' Dave the Dude has become a pop culture icon." 

The Messenger (2009)

An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.

A study of various people and their ways of coping with loss, grief and bonding convinces mainly through its excellent ensemble of characters and some memorable scenes.

Maltin***1/2: "Episodic, but moving look at the different ways people deal with anger, pain, repressed emotions, and grief...Foster and Harrelson are first-rate, along with a fine ensemble who often have just moments to create their performances."

Miller's Crossing (1990)

An advisor to a Prohibition-era crime boss, tries to keep the peace between warring mobs but gets caught in divided loyalties.

Highly referential (and entertaining) neo-noir thriller, splendidly staged and cast and full of the Coen Bros' dark humour.

Halliwell**: "Sombre, solidly made thriller, directed with a macabre skill."

Maltin**1/2: "Moody, stylish, and pretentious take on gangster films...Dense and dour, it's almost doggedly off-putting at first, but gets more involving as its serpentine story unfolds. Some bravura moments..."

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Mystery Train (1989)

Three stories are connected by a Memphis hotel and the spirit of Elvis Presley.

Wonderfully connected episodes offer humour and drama as a matter-of-fact part of life; great cast and beautifully photographed vignettes of Memphis.

Halliwell**: "Rambling, leisurely film that contains a multitude of small pleasures."

Maltin***: "Typically quirky  slice-of-life from Jarmusch...Jarmusch's minimalist style results in some slow stretches, but there are enough genuinely funny moments to make this worth seeing."

Steve Buscemi

(ph: Jeff Riedel)

Armageddon (1998)

After discovering that an asteroid the size of Texas is going to impact Earth in less than a month, N.A.S.A. recruits a misfit team of deep core drillers to save the planet.

A classic doomsday premise executed with a big budget is ruined by a silly plot and a chaotic ending.

On renewed viewing: a bit more entertaining, if you don't take to too seriously.

Halliwell (no star): "Loud and brainless action movie that was among the top box-office successes of 1998."

Maltin**: "Opens with a bang, and sets up an exciting (if improbable) story...After a while it becomes so routine, so predictable, and so redundant that all the fun is drained away."

Fargo (1996)

A car dealer's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of a pregnant policewoman.

A masterpiece of black comedy and arguably the directors' most perfect work summing up their oeuvre so far.

It's one of the few movies I enjoy rewatching again and again.

Halliwell****: "Deft, witty and original thriller which pits a pregnant, rural police chief against two city slickers; the violence, when it comes, is properly shocking, but it's the humanity that you will remember."

Maltin***1/2: "The Coen brothers put a unique spin on a murder case, layering their story with droll Minnesotans and winding up with a totally disarming comedy!"